Medical weight loss is defined as weight management based on medical scientific principles and can provide many health benefits. Focusing on the root causes of obesity and weight gain, the goal of medical weight loss is to achieve and maintain a long term healthy weight while under the care of a bariatric physician or medical weight loss provider.
A medically supervised program will include a safe, low calorie diet. These customized programs are not only designed for weight loss but also to help break the cycle of food addiction. Your medical provider may also prescribe an appetite suppressant for additional support in your weight loss journey.
Medical weight loss providers have the ability to view your weight loss and maintenance within the context of your overall health. If you are taking medication for a medical condition, it may interfere with your weight loss. Your medical provider can consult with your primary care physician to find a safe, effective alternative to remove this barrier.
While there are physical benefits to weight loss like looking better and wearing a smaller size clothing, medical weight loss is usually sought after to improve the patient’s overall health and well-being.
Promote Heart Health
High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are the two major risk factors for heart disease.
The accumulation of excess fat cells will release certain naturally occurring chemicals in to the bloodstream which cause blood pressure to rise.
Being overweight causes the liver to produce too much LDL or bad cholesterol. This bad cholesterol sticks to blood vessel walls causing a narrowing of the arteries, which causes an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
With medical weight loss, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol are reduced to a healthier level.
Help Prevent Diabetes
High Blood Glucose or Prediabetes occurs when sugar levels in the blood are higher than normal. When blood sugar levels are extremely high, the body stops naturally producing enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. This inability to produce insulin is the cause of Type 2 Diabetes.
Excess weight makes it difficult for cells to respond to the insulin. The extra fat acts like an insulating layer, making it harder for the sugar to penetrate cells and causes higher circulating blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes or its progression to Type 2 Diabetes can often be prevented through medical weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.
Medical Weight Loss Improves Sleep
Those who are overweight tend to have more soft tissue in the neck. This excess tissue can cause the narrowing of the airway and result in snoring. Snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.
With sleep apnea, breathing becomes completely obstructed and the sleeper must wake up to start breathing again. Detrimental health effects are caused by the resulting sleep and oxygen deprivation. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction and memory problems.
The fatty tissue in the neck is reduced with medical weight loss. This weight loss decreases snoring. Maintaining a healthy weight can encourage a better quality of sleep and reduce the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Increased Mobility and Less Painful Joints
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder causing bone and the cartilage that protects the joints to wear away. The result is swollen joints that become tender and movement becomes very painful. Being overweight increases the load placed on weight bearing joints, such as knees and hips.
The force exerted across the knee while walking is estimated to be between three to six times your body weight. Even 5% loss of body weight can decrease the amount of stress on knees, hips, and the lower back.
Medical weight loss will elevate some of the stress on these joints, allowing them increased mobility and reduced pain. Maintaining a healthy weight will not prevent Osteoarthritis but will make it easier to live with the disorder.
These are just some of the health benefits of medical weight loss. The key to maintaining healthy weight loss is to change your lifestyle. Long term success will depend on permanent changes in your day to day life. The hardest part, however, is the first step.
Getting started on your medical weight loss journey must begin somewhere. At Vive Medical Weight Loss, that first step starts at your consultation. Dr. Pinto’s philosophy is to give you the jumpstart you need to achieve and then maintain a healthy weight. Call to schedule your consultation today and begin the journey to a healthier lifestyle.
